Last week, it was announced that Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp was teaming up with Fundamental Films for a reboot of the Transporter franchise, as Jason Statham decided that it was time for him to leave Frank Martin behind for other remakes and sequels that he could star in instead. Naturally, instead of trying to pretend that someone else could play Martin and we wouldn’t notice, Besson is giving fans an origin story that will serve as a prequel to those times that Statham drove really fast and covered himself in grease to save the attractive women and the little boy from evil people.
So which actor has the chops to shave his head and speak with a grizzled British accent while kicking ass in a way that has paved a huge career for Statham? According to Variety, it’s Ed Skrein, who played Daario Naharis on HBO’s Game of Thrones.
“We searched everywhere to find a fresh face who had the potential to become an action movie star and we’ve found the right match with Ed Skrein, who’s not only a great actor but also has enough charisma and physical stamina to play Frank Martin (the ‘Transporter’s’ leading role) with brio,” EuropaCorp CEO Christophe Lambert told Variety.
Although plot details are still kept under wraps, Lambert said the first installment of “Transporter” reboot will return to the French Riviera, site of the first pic. He said the writers have given more depth to the character of Frank Martin, whose job is to transport goods and ask no questions. For instance, the movie will explore Martin’s relationship with his father, whose role will be played by a prominent thesp. (Via Variety)
At this point, I hope Frank Martin’s father is played by Rowan Atkinson.